Images: John Reidy
SUPREMELY talented rugby star Siobhán Fleming, from Currow, has scooped the prestigious Munster Women’s Player of the Year award following a string of top-notch performances at the highest level.
It was the affable sportswoman’s second time winning the coveted prize and it follows her landmark first success in 2011.
Siobhán hails from the rugby hotbed village of Currow and she joins a long list of huge rugby talents from the area, including brothers Mick and Tom Doyle, Mick Galwey and, of course, the late great Moss Keane.
Siobhán holds the very unique distinction of being the only Grand Slam medal winner from Currow and, in that kind of company, that’s some achievement.
Having played inter-country football with Kerry, she took up rugby in 2007 and won her first Munster cap in 2010. She has progressed at a rapid pace to make the Ireland number 6 jersey her own.
Siobhán was part of last season’s Grand Slam-winning Irish team, nd started all five of their Six Nations matches this year. Impressive performances have booked her a place in the training squad for the Women’s World Cup in France this summer.
Making it a memorable double for Currow this year is the stylish JJ Hanrahan who has been named Munster’s Young Player of the Year.
The 21-year-old is the youngest player in Munster’s current Heineken Cup squad.
JJ was awarded a full senior contract with the province before the start of this season and since then he has played 25 times, scoring four tries along the way.
One of those tries will be remembered for a long time to come – his breathtaking last-gasp score at the Stade Aime Giral in Perpignan to clinch a sweet victory for Munster in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup.
Siobhan and JJ were presented with their awards at a reception in the Maryborough Hotel and Spa in Cork.
At the same function Killorglin RFC was named the Mini section Club of the Year.
